A Vintage Vanity

Everyone loves a good furniture makeover, am I right?

And this was one piece that was simply screaming for a makeover! Wow, right? Seriously. I know.

But my Mom has great taste, because she could see the potential in this baby. She picked it up from a thrift store along with a matching mirror, bookcase, and dresser. If you can see past the unflattering green color (which for a long time I definitely could not), you’ll notice that the piece actually has some very nice “architecture” on the bottom of the legs and the front of the drawers. Plus it’s all well made, since it’s vintage. All it needed was a coat of paint and some new knobs from Anthropologie, and ta-da!

Pretty, isn’t it? You’ll notice we added the amazing matching mirror, which for the longest time was sitting all by it’s lonesome in our attic at home. I LOVE the little finials on top! I used the Rosy Knobs from Anthro in white, and they really add a bold impact. Something as simple as switching out hardware can really liven up an old piece of furniture. I love Anthropologie’s selection of drawer pulls so much that I switched out the knobs on my desk, my dresser, and my closet as well!
Anyway, after I so lovingly created a beautiful vanity for myself, I quickly realized-I don’t use a vanity! I do my hair and makeup in the bathroom. Hello, reality check! No matter though, I made over the inside of the drawers and turned them into jewelry storage. I used this tutorial from Young House Love to line the drawers with this pretty paper from Paper Source-it matches that little box you can see on the vanity which I got from Neapolitan Paper+Home on Etsy.
After lining the drawers I just put little plastic boxes in that I got from Amazon, and voila-instant jewelry storage. It works well because I can see everything at a glance and nothing is hidden- that way I don’t forget to wear what I have. 
This project made me so happy because I was able to re-purpose an old piece of furniture and give it new life, while also saving money by not having to buy all brand-new furniture for my apartment! Plus it’s fun to have something that’s basically one of a kind.


Leave a Comment

  1. What a beautiful dresser! 'green' with envy! – Love the Kate Spade I spotted on there too! Xx

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  2. kristina wrote:

    hi jackie ~ oh my goodness, you're good! this makeover is amazing, the black paint looks gorgeous!! your blog is really nice btw…
    xx, kristina

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  3. Such a smart way to organize your drawers! I'm in desperate need to do that! All my drawers are over flowing 🙁 Great blog, following! XO

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  4. Looks fantastic! You did a great job! Loving the black paint and drawer liners are such a great idea!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  5. sampenner wrote:

    OMG you are so talented! The finished product looks like a picture out of a magazine. WOW I am thoroughly impressed lady!

    XO,

    Sam
    http://www.ThePeakofTreChic.com

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  6. Lisa Marie wrote:

    This is very well done! Great job!! Everything is perfection about this post.

    I organized my jewelry like that once but I am always rushing around in the morning so inevitably I end up messing it all up.

    Lisa Marie
    http://www.inyourfinery.blogspot.com

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  7. Dorothy wrote:

    Its so nice to have such a talented daughter! I love that this piece of furniture has such a fashionable new life. It says Lexington 1967 on the back and came with many matching pieces, a headboard, a student desk, a hutch and base cabinet and a long dresser.

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  8. bevy wrote:

    Wonderful job! I really like how all your jewelry is so easy to see/find. The vanity is a beautiful piece. Great find!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  9. rolala wrote:

    Wow that's an amazing transformation. I just love how you organized your jewelry in the drawers.

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  10. This is amazing! It came out soooo beautiful! You are going to enjoy this magnificent piece for many years to come!

    Love & Lollies… Jessa

    Confessions of the Cupcake Countessa

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  11. that looks beautiful! I love black with the hardware. Very chic!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  12. I love a good makeover! You did a wonderful job transforming this piece. So much nicer than had you just bought something new, it has character. I wish my vanity was so organized!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  13. Nav wrote:

    what a great idea for jwellery organization. I use old christmas individually sized boxes…its on my blog post to see what i mean

    xo Nav
    http://www.navlandstyle.blogspot.com/

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  14. Alexa wrote:

    Just a beautiful, black color! 🙂

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  15. Christina wrote:

    wow this is lovely! the drawer organizer is great

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  16. Jillian wrote:

    Wow! What a transformation. Furniture makeovers are the way to go. You can find some really sturdy, beautiful pieces that just need a bit of TLC to turn them into a showstopper.

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  17. Brittany wrote:

    OMG i love this!! Your jewelry looks so perfect in the beautiful vanity! I love how creative and organized this is. Amazing job!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  18. Wow…this is an amazing transformation! I thought the second photo was out of a magazine at first! And I love your jewelry storage…brilliant!!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  19. Ashley wrote:

    I can't get over how great this turned out!! From the color all the way to the adorable lined paper in the insides- nice work!

    Published 1.5.12 · Reply
  20. designchic wrote:

    It looks amazing…love the black you painted and the knobs…fabulous!!

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  21. Josie wrote:

    It looks AMAZING! I love the black, and the paper you used on the inside is so pretty. What a fabulous job!
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  22. Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  23. Patti wrote:

    what an amazing job you did-you should call Nate and tell him you're "apartment proud"!

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  24. This is GORGEOUS!!! I need to go order those boxes from amazon to organize my drawer now! So happy to have found your blog, you have great taste!! xoxo

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  25. Wow-great makeover!! I love the way you can store your jewelry.

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  26. That is really cute! I am showing it to everyone I know! I'm so jealous of your jewelry holders- I desperately need some.

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  27. Wow, good idea, Mom! I have little faith in my ability to pull off makeovers like that, but you did an awesome job!

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  28. Oh my gosh that is all sorts of awesome! Great job!

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  29. This is an amazing DIY! I'm really going to try and look to old furniture instead of always buying new!

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  30. Laura wrote:

    Great DIY, I love the end result! 🙂

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  31. Shara wrote:

    omg this is perfect!!La Folie 

    Published 1.6.12 · Reply
  32. ~your vanity turned out great! the knobs are so unique and add just the right touch of white to your black piece.
    BerryHaute

    Published 1.7.12 · Reply
  33. I absolutely love what you did with it, and the styling too! So beautiful.

    Published 1.7.12 · Reply
  34. I love it! The paper lining is just the icing on the cake. Beautiful.

    Published 1.7.12 · Reply
  35. Oh my gosh love the glossy black! What an impact! And paired with the Bertoua chair it's that mix I love so much! I never think about lining drawers but it really makes such a difference. Hmmm…what drawers of mine need some attention. You've inspired me!

    Published 1.7.12 · Reply
  36. just found your blog! -so happy I did and I look forward to following! The vanity looks very chic… love it paired with the pink chair!!

    Published 1.7.12 · Reply
  37. Charlotte wrote:

    This is awesome!!

    Published 1.8.12 · Reply